Travel Rewards Credit Cards

by DR

A travel reward credit card can literally pay for or greatly reduce the cost of your next vacation. Travel rewards last year allowed my family to fly to Guatemala on points earned on our American Express card. This summer, my wife is taking a trip to meet friends from college, and the airline ticket was paid for with an airline reward credit card. In 2005 we paid for tickets to London with a travel rewards credit card. We've literally saved thousands of dollars on vacations from reward programs, so I thought I'd share with you some of the best travel reward credit cards available.

Starwood Preferred Guest® Credit Card from American Express
Starwood Preferred Guest? Credit Card from American Express
Starwood Preferred Guest Credit Card Application
  • Earn up to 25,000 Starpoints® — enough for up to 6 free nights at a category 1 or 2 hotel.
  • Use Starpoints® for free nights and upgrades at over 860 participating Starwood hotels and resorts in 95 countries including Sheraton, W Hotels, Westin and more with no blackout dates
  • No annual fee for the first year and $45 thereafter
  • Transfer Starpoints® — almost always on a 1:1 basis — to the frequent flyer programs of over 30 major airlines
  • Earn one Starpoint® for every dollar you spend and double Starpoints® at participating Starwood properties and retail partners
  • Express Approval.  Get a decision in less than 60 seconds.
Intro APR Intro APR Period Regular APR Annual Fee Balance Transfers Credit Needed
2.90%* 6 months* 13.24%* 1st Year None, $45 Thereafter* Yes* Excellent Credit*

Miles by Discover® Card
Miles Card from Discover? Card
Discover Miles Card Application
  • Earn 1,000 bonus miles each calendar month you make a purchase for a total of 12,000 bonus miles your first year
  • Book any travel, anytime with no blackout dates or restrictions
  • Double Miles on up to $3,000 in travel and restaurant purchases each year
  • 1 mile for every $1 on all your other purchases
  • Unlimited miles that never expire*
  • Redeem for travel credits to your account, gift cards from any of our 70 brand-name partners, or cash starting at just 1,000 miles
  • No annual fee
  • *View Discover® Card Rates, Fees, Rewards, and Other Important Information

Intro APR Intro APR Period Regular APR Annual Fee Balance Transfers Credit Needed
0%* 12 months on purchases & 6 months on balance transfers* 11.99% - 18.99%* None* Yes* Excellent Credit*

Citi® PremierPass® Card-Elite Level
Citi PremierPass? Elite Level
Citi PremierPass-Elite Level Card Application
  • Earn 20,000 bonus points after $600 in purchases made within 3 months of account opening*
  • Earn 2 points for every dollar spent on everyday purchases and 1 point for all other purchases*
  • Earn 1 point for every mile you fly on any airline*
  • Earn 1 point for every mile friends and family fly on tickets purchased with your card*
  • Get a complimentary companion ticket when you buy a qualifying ticket*
Intro APR Intro APR Period Regular APR Annual Fee Balance Transfers Credit Needed
N/A* N/A* as low as 13.24%* $75.00* Yes* Excellent Credit*

American Express® Preferred Rewards Gold Card
Preferred Rewards Gold Card
Click for an American Express Rewards Gold Card
  • Earn 10,000 Membership Rewards® bonus points when you spend $500 in 3 months - redeemable for a $100 gift card!
  • No Pre-Set Spending Limit
  • No annual fee for the first year - $125 Thereafter
  • The Membership Rewards® program - Earn 1 Membership Rewards® point for virtually every dollar you spend and redeem for your choice of travel, shopping, and entertainment rewards.
  • Gold Card Events - exclusive access to tickets for select concerts, shows, major sporting events, and more in cities nationwide.
  • Express Approval. Get a decision in less than 60 seconds.
Intro APR Intro APR Period Regular APR Annual Fee Balance Transfers Credit Needed
N/A* N/A* N/A* $125 annual fee* N/A* Excellent/Good Credit*

Platinum Delta Skymiles® Credit Card from American Express
Platinum Delta SkyMiles? Credit Card from American Express
Platinum Delta Skymiles Credit Card Application
  • Earn 20,000 bonus SkyMiles® (including 5,000 Medallion Qualification Miles) after first purchase and another 2,500 for adding an Additional Cardmember
  • Earn one companion Coach Class ticket each year upon renewal
  • Earn at least 1 mile for every eligible dollar spent
  • Miles never expire and there is no cap on the miles you can earn
  • Pay with Miles: Pay for all or part of your flight with miles – and put the rest on your Card
  • Express Approval.  Get a decision in less than 60 seconds.
Intro APR Intro APR Period Regular APR Annual Fee Balance Transfers Credit Needed
N/A* N/A* 13.24%* $150 per year* Yes* Good Credit*

*We do our best to accurately reflect the terms and conditions of credit card offers on this site. But please recognize that these terms and conditions can and do change from time to time. When you are evaluating credit card offers, please make sure to read the terms and conditions on the credit card issuer's website, as they may have changed since the information was last updated on this site.


{ 52 trackbacks }

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{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }

PT June 3, 2008 at 1:28 pm

This just shows that if you’re intentional with your finances you can make the most of what you get for free. I love Guatemala. I was there last summer as well. Great people….

Mrs. Micah June 3, 2008 at 8:44 pm

At this point, we probably would take years to get enough points to redeem. But depending on how we manage our finances in the future, I’ve thought about it. We’ll see. :)

Mydailydollars June 5, 2008 at 9:08 am

Interesting post! I wrote recently how badly I managed my United miles credit card. Perhaps in the future, once I’m permanently out of debt, I’ll think about taking advantage of these types of offers.

DR June 9, 2008 at 8:10 am

Prime Time Money hosted the 156th Carnival of Personal Finance, and included this post. You can read all of the great articles included in the carnival at http://ptmoney.com/2008/06/09/the-156th-carnival-of-personal-finance-songs-of-summer/

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